Started the new book just published by St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood:

The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by Archimandrite Irenei

Only on page 40 or so, but am finding it to have very helpful reminders, and is instructive and inspiring at the same time. I always thought Father Irenei was so intelligent that it would be difficult for me to fathom anything he says. But this book is really so very well written that I have no problem following his train of thought, even though I am so busy and stressed at this time.

He quotes quite a bit from various sources, like the Philokalia for one.

And he is a very kind, pastoral caring Father Confessor who takes the time to listen then give his suggestions and prayers, even for a visitor. But sometimes it's hard to remember everything said, so this book is something I can go back to again and again if needed.

Logged

A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground.

Then it is done, no matter how brave its warriors nor how strong their weapons -- Cheyenne proverb

Started the new book just published by St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood:

The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by Archimandrite Irenei

Only on page 40 or so, but am finding it to have very helpful reminders, and is instructive and inspiring at the same time. I always thought Father Irenei was so intelligent that it would be difficult for me to fathom anything he says. But this book is really so very well written that I have no problem following his train of thought, even though I am so busy and stressed at this time.

He quotes quite a bit from various sources, like the Philokalia for one.

And he is a very kind, pastoral caring Father Confessor who takes the time to listen then give his suggestions and prayers, even for a visitor. But sometimes it's hard to remember everything said, so this book is something I can go back to again and again if needed.

Started the new book just published by St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood:

The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by Archimandrite Irenei

Only on page 40 or so, but am finding it to have very helpful reminders, and is instructive and inspiring at the same time. I always thought Father Irenei was so intelligent that it would be difficult for me to fathom anything he says. But this book is really so very well written that I have no problem following his train of thought, even though I am so busy and stressed at this time.

He quotes quite a bit from various sources, like the Philokalia for one.

And he is a very kind, pastoral caring Father Confessor who takes the time to listen then give his suggestions and prayers, even for a visitor. But sometimes it's hard to remember everything said, so this book is something I can go back to again and again if needed.

I think your post recommends this book strongly, especially given the fact I really need to re-visit some very basic principles of prayer, in which we so often find ourselves back at the beginning. Thank you for the reminder.

I just ordered Father Gabriel Bunge's 'Despondency: The Spiritual Teaching of Evagrius of Pontus' published by St. Vlad's. I can't wait to get into it, as it holds some promise of containing practical principles and methods for dealing with this bane, which becomes a great temptation for me, especially during these long New England winters!

I may end up giving it a brief review after reading, for the benefit of others who are considering checking out the book, struggling with this passion, or both.

'Evil isn't the real threat to the world. Stupid is just as destructive as evil, maybe more so, and it's a hell of a lot more common. What we really need is a crusade against stupid. That might actually make a difference.'~Harry Dresden

How are you enjoying tBA, Quinault? It took me a very long time to even consider reading non-canonical Sherlock Holmes stories but after reading a few short story anthologies, I ended up giving the Mary Russell series a shot and love them!

Logged

"Hearing a nun's confession is like being stoned to death with popcorn." --Abp. Fulton Sheen

I really enjoyed his take on the Arthurian Cycle and Byanztium but couldn't get into his other works; too Celto-scholcky for me. It's been a while since I've picked one of his books up and I'm glad I grabbed this. Definitely a different take (his Robin is Welsh and events happens just after the Norman Conquest while William is still alive) but enjoyable nonetheless. He's no Bernard Conrwell or Simon Scarrow when it comes to battle scenes, but the rest of the book is written well enough to keep me stealing a read for a few pages when I get a moment.

Logged

"Hearing a nun's confession is like being stoned to death with popcorn." --Abp. Fulton Sheen

I am about 120 pages into rereading The Idiot and I am amazed at how different my reaction has been. I remembered this book as being very soap-opera-like, but this time around it seems really great. What a difference 10 years makes!

I am about 120 pages into rereading The Idiot and I am amazed at how different my reaction has been. I remembered this book as being very soap-opera-like, but this time around it seems really great. What a difference 10 years makes!

Yes, and I much enjoyed it this time around. Though I have a different purpose and maybe that helped

Good to hear! I had little trouble getting through K. Brothers and C and P, but could never get past roughly the half-way point of The Idiot. Perhaps it is time to commit to reading it all the way through...

Fwiw, what I've found helpful is not to look at the relationships as being about love interests (which I did too much before), but rather as being psychological and spiritual insights into what a virtuous or even Christ-like person would be like. Myshkin doesn't love Natasya or Aglaia in the traditional sense, but rather because he sees how broken they each are, in their own way, and he wants to save them. It's how God probably sees us in some way, and he's willing to do whatever it takes (even die) for us (this is also connected with Myshkin's end, but I won't spoil that). Why all this didn't occur to me before I don't know. Maybe because I'm not just reading for pleasure but am actually thinking about the novel this time around (and also reading secondary literature).

Fwiw, what I've found helpful is not to look at the relationships as being about love interests (which I did too much before), but rather as being psychological and spiritual insights into what a virtuous or even Christ-like person would be like. Myshkin doesn't love Natasya or Aglaia in the traditional sense, but rather because he sees how broken they each are, in their own way, and he wants to save them. It's how God probably sees us in some way, and he's willing to do whatever it takes (even die) for us (this is also connected with Myshkin's end, but I won't spoil that). Why all this didn't occur to me before I don't know. Maybe because I'm not just reading for pleasure but am actually thinking about the novel this time around (and also reading secondary literature).

The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture

"Biblicism, an approach to the Bible common among some American evangelicals, emphasizes together the Bible's exclusive authority, infallibility, clarity, self-sufficiency, internal consistency, self-evident meaning, and universal applicability. Acclaimed sociologist Christian Smith argues that this approach is misguided and unable to live up to its own claims. If evangelical biblicism worked as its proponents say it should, there would not be the vast variety of interpretive differences that biblicists themselves reach when they actually read and interpret the Bible."

« Last Edit: February 07, 2013, 11:22:48 AM by Jetavan »

Logged

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Okay, I'm looking for an Orthodox book that is basically just full of wise proverbs and/or meditations that I could read. Any recommendations? I know a lot of people recommend the "Desert Fathers", but I don't exactly know what those are. Some links and/or advice/recommendations would be good.

'Evil isn't the real threat to the world. Stupid is just as destructive as evil, maybe more so, and it's a hell of a lot more common. What we really need is a crusade against stupid. That might actually make a difference.'~Harry Dresden